Packaging apparatus



Sept. 23, 1969 M, H. FARRAR ETAL 3,468,102

PACKAG ING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 23, 1967 Sept. 23, 1959 M, H, FARRAR ETAL 3,468,102

PACKAGING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 23, 1967 5 fm @fw ffm f r/N i, W l HW @www nw W /0 am M@ ATTORNEY 3,468,102 PACKAGING APPARATUS Malone H. Farrar, 5763 Reed Road 77033, and Robert g. Pitts, 7710 Barberton 77036, both of Houston,

Filed Jan. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 611,116 Int. Cl. B65b 43/36 U.S. Cl. 53-385 10 tClaims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This Ipreferred embodiment provides an air stream which blows open the top bag of a plurality of bags folded on one another and the upper portion -of the perimeter of the partially opened bag is seized to fully open the bag by an encircling member using vacuum suction to engage the bag, whereby goods are inserted through the open end of the bag.

SUMMARY OF PROBLEM AND INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for opening one of a plurality of stacked, folded containers, and more particularly relates to apparatus providing vacuum engagement about the periphery or circumference of a folded bag to open the container for insertion of goods to be packaged in the bag.

Numerous items are packed automatically in containers such as pleated bags or sacks stacked on one another. The high-speed manufacture and packaging of goods depends on rapidly opening, lling and removing of the filled bag or container in typical assembly line situations. Moreover, reliability in the operation of assembly line apparatus is a must since apparatus of this nature is usually untended and any malfunction will delay a number of units of goods to be packed at a rapid rate. In view of this requirement, and in further view of the deficiencies of devices known in the prior art, the present invention is summarized as a packaging apparatus which incorporates an air stream directed toward the top folded container -or bag contained of a wicket of bags in which the stream of air partially opens the bag. The opening movement of the top bag brings it into proximity of and influence of means for engaging and fully opening the bag with a releasable grasp on portions of the periphery of the bag to fully open the bag for receiving the goods to be packaged. More specifically, the engaging means preferably incorporates vacuum flow through a loop surrounding the neck of the bag with a plurality of perforations or holes engaging the bag to fully open the bag for receiving the goods therein.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bagging apparatus which depends on the air stream blown into the bag for only partial opening and which fully opens the bag by means located exteriorly of the bag to provide an unimpeded opening into the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bagging apparatus which engages the periphery of the bag on the exterior with vacuum suction for releasably holding the bag to enable insertion of goods therein.

Yet another object of the present invetnion is to provide a new and improved bag-filling device in which the means for engaging the bag are sized to a variety of sizes and shapes of bags or containers.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved packaging apparatus incorporating means for inating a plurality of folded, pleated bags in sequence without requiring the insertion of tongues, holders or -other apparatus into the open bag preceding the 1nsertion of the goods to be packaged.

3,468,102 Patented Sept. 23, 1969 .Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the packaging apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of FIG. l, illustrating details of construction of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of means for externally engaging the partially open bag or container in operation of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the structure shown in FIG. 3 illustrating holes or openings for engaging the partially opened bag or container to fully open the bag.

Attention is directed to FIG. l which illustrates the device of the present invention at 10 installed in an assembly line situation as would be found in a bread packaging machine indicated at 12. Of course, the bread packaging machine 12 processes loaves of bread 14, although it will be appreciated that the present invention can be adapted for packaging other goods of a wide range of descriptions. The present invention 10 includes a means 16 for directing a stream of air toward the uppermost of a plurality of bags, the plurality of bags being indicated at 13. The air stream means 16 partially iniiates and opens the uppermost bag 19 of the plurality of bags 18 carried on a wicket means 2i). When partially open, means for releasably engaging the partially opened bag grasps it near the open mouth. in the preferred embodiment of FIG. l, this means comprises a vacuum loop 22 in sectional view of FIG. l which is 'a closed conduit provided with a plurality of passage means 24. Air flow through the passage means 24 is directed to the air moving means indicated at 26 which, in the preferred embodiment, has the form of a motor driven centrifugal fan 28.

The present invention utilizes the Vacuum loop means 22 to complete opening of the bag or container 19 for insertion of the food or other product into the bag without the air of complicated, expensive or unreliable mechanical opening apparatus.

Considering the invention more in detail, attention is directed to the detailed structures of the invention 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus 12 was previously identied as supporting machinery for furnishing goods to be packaged to the present invention 10 which is aligned therewith for receiving the bread 14 or other goods on upper plate 30 which comprises a receiving shelf of the packaging means 10. The goods 14 pass over the shelf 30 and rely on impetus of the supporting apparatus 12 to impel or push the goods 14 into the open container 19. The shelf 30 is constructed with a duplicate wall 31 which defines an air box 32 beneath the shelf 30 which contains the air moving means 16 for partially inating the open container 19. The preferred embodiment 10 of the present invention utilizes a centrifugal blower driven by an electrical motor and has an open end 16a whereby air from the air box means 32 is impelled through the duct 1612 into the partially opened bag or container 19.

The duct 16h communicates upwardly through a slot for directing a stream of air at the open container 19. The lower plate member 31 is terminated at 31a and the upper support member 30 extends to the point indicated at 30a. It will be noted that the offset between the plates 30 and 31 deiines a relatively narrow slot at 30a which is approximately one-fourth inch wide. Preferably, the chute or duct overlaps a horizontal member 37 which carries the wicket means 20 in a manner t0 direct the stream of air into the uppermost bag 19 only. The air box means 32 is preferably closed at the end wall 32a and the opposite end Wall 32h which extends only partly across the height of the air box 32.

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 jointly for consideration of operation of the wicket means 20. The wicket means 2t) includes an inverted U-shaped member indicated by the numeral 36. The wicket 36 includes a pair of downwardly projecting legs which are adapted to extend through a slot in the bag support member 37, the slot being indicated by the numeral 37a. The slot 37a extends almost fully across the plate 37 for receiving wickets 36 of any width. The long slot is particularly useful in accommodating various widths of containers 18.

Each container 19 spreads to its full width which is also the span of the opening thereof, it being appreciated that the side walls of the opened container 19 are shaped by the goods inserted therein and are not precisely delined by the closed bag which is preferably formed of a pair of planar sheets of lm joined at seams. The lip or tab on each container is penetrated by the wicket and is pinched or clamped between the wicket 36 and the forward lip of the bag support member 37. The plate 37 is also provided with a means 38 protruding from the plate 37 for defining a slight bulge across the bags 18 positioned on the plate 37. The eitect of the protuberance 38 on the stack of bags 18 is such to cause the uppermost bag to pucker its opening slightly at the top edge whereby the stream of air more easily opens the top container for inflation.

Of particular interest is the fact that the air stream from the air means 16 enters only the uppermost bag or container. This limits the present invention to opening only one bag at a time and maintains the other containers or bags in the folded, quiescent condition until needed.

The plate 37 which carries the plurality of bags thereon is preferably held in position by means of a hinge 4t) which is located at the rearward end of a plate. The plate is moved upwardly as each bag is removed from the stack of bags by means of a spring 41. Spring 41 urges the plate upwardly with the stack of closed containers 1S thereon, the upward movement being limited by engagement of the stack of bags against the lip 16e carried at the end of the duct 1619. That is, when each of the bags has been removed from the plate 37, the lip 16e limits upward movement of the plate 37; the plate is pressed down to reload the present invention by placing an additional plurality of bags and the wicket 36 on the plate 37.

The movable plate 37 carrying the bags thereon delies the upper surface for a closed chamber generally indicated at 43. The chamber 43 has an end wall 44, a base plate 45, and the wall 3211 of the previously indicated air box means 32. The chamber means 43 encloses the vacuum forming means 26 which is communicated with the vacuum loop 22. The means 26 includes a centrifugal blower 28 having a conventional electric motor 26a shown in FIG. 2. Air is directed through the opening 2611 into the chamber means 43. Air is drawn in the blower at the open axial ends of the centrifugal blower 28 and is exhausted through the opening 26]; into the chamber 43 for venting purposes. The route of the air through the port means 24 into the vacuum loop 22 provides a generally continuous flow of air into the centrifugal blower means 26 except when the bag is fully opened and is drawn against the openings 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1. At this juncture, vacuum is maintained in the vacuum loop to continue the bag or container 19 at the fully opened position shown in FIG. l.

Attention is directed to FIG. 2 which illustrates the blower means 26 in dotted line behind the partial wall 32b. The route of vacuum flow through the vacuum loop means 22 extends from the openings adjacent the opened bag 19 to the centrifugal blower 28 which is located on the opposite side of the wall member 32h as illustrated in FIG. l. Internal partitions 22a and 22b form a continuation ot' the vacuum loop for directing air from the vacuum loop 22 to the blower 28. The partitions 22a 4 and 22b do not span the width of apparatus which fact is illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 also illustrates the side walls 46 and 47 of the air box means 32. The side walls cooperate with the base plate 45 to provide adequate support to the present invention.

Of particular interest to the present invention is the provision of the vacuum loop means 22. Vacuum loop means 22 includes a generally closed chamber having a horizontally extending portion 22d. The vacuum loop means is structurally enclosed by an inwardly directed U-shaped channel 22d which receives a pair of insertable and removable members therein as will be described. The channel 22d includes upright portions 22e and 22f which further engage the inserts which will be described. The channel member 22d extends interiorly of the side walls `46 and 47 as shown in FIG. 2 and is connected to the partitions 22a and 22b previously noted. Air is drawn into the horizontal portions of the channel and passes through the vertical, upright portions 22e and 22f at either side of the apparatus and then moves downwardly in the direction indicated generally by the arrows in FIG. 2. The downward movement is Within the partitions 22a and 22b which direct the air How to the end openings in the centrifugal blower means 28.

While discussing the vacuum loop means 22, attention is next directed to FIG. 3 for illustration of additional details of the vacuum loop means. In FIG. 3, vacuum loop means 22 is shown detached from the major -portions o the container to enable understanding of its operation. As previously noted, the outer perimeter of the vacuum loop means is defined by the U-shaped channels at 22e and 22j. The edges of the channels forming the vacuum loop 22 are turned inwardly for receiving selected inserts interiorly thereof which define the shape of opening Sd illustrated in FIG. 3. The inwardly facing edges of the U-shaped channel (indicated at the numeral 22g) receive therein the removable insert which comprises three primary members including a pair of identical facing members 51 and 52. The members 51 and 52 slip within the U-shaped channel 22d and are positioned at the dotted line indicated at 51a. The pair of matched members 51 and 52 are maintained in position relative to one another by a shaped, curved strip of material 54 which FIG. 3 shows as being contoured to the perimeter Slb of the member 51. The member 54 has a pair of upturned edges 54e which are soldered or otherwise joined to the parallel members 51 and S2 for defining the insert received as a unit within the channel member 22g. As viewed in FIG. 4, the planar member 54 includes the plurality of openings 24 which pull a vacuum on the bag 19. In FIG. 4, it will be noted that open ends are shown in the vacuum loop at 57 and 58 for directing air flow from the upper portions of the loop into the lower portions of the present invention 1li.

The vacuum loop means 22 is joined to the lower portions of the present invention 10 by means of a hinge 59 and a trunk latch 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The openings 57 and 58 are aligned with the passages defined by the partitions 22a and 22b below the bag support plate 37.

The shape of the member 54 which follows the irregular outline shown in FIG. 3 is determined in large part by the shape of the article to be packaged and the width of the at bag carried on the wicket 36. Consider, for instance, a bag that is four by live inches when fully opened. When the two layers of film are stacked iiat one on the other, the bag will be nine inches wide. Each of the bags is centered relative to the apparatus 10 below and the curved edge 54e above. The opening means 50 shown in FIG. 3 engages approximately half or at least the upper portions of the bag since the openings 24 encircle approximately of the perimeter of the bag 19. The insert opening 50 is faired at 54f and 54g to clear the bag as it pops open from the -Fully closed position to enable engagement with the openings 24 located in the crown 0f the opening 50. The interior of the vacuum loop which extends from the U-shaped member 22d to the profile defining member 54 is closed of above the member 54 for drawing the lbag 19 upwardly and fully open.

The arrangement of the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 which comprises the vacuum loop enables easy accommodation of bag size changes. By way of example, a bag of four by five inches rectangular opening may be accommodated by the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings; however, the apparatus of the present invention will also open a bag of another size, such as a bag two by eight inches. In this case, the insert which includes the side portions 51 and 52 and the profile defining portion 54 is removed en toto after opening the hinged vacuum loop means 22. The insert is preferably constructed with some clearance so that it will slide from the U-shaped channel and the substitute insert is placed in the vacuum loop means. By the use of removable inserts, the present invention is useable with a variety of sizes and shapes of bags for a variety of products, including food packages, articles of clothing, and so on.

The present invention should be considered in operation wherein the bread 14 or other goods to be packaged is placed in the fully open container 19. The air stream means 16 directs the ow of air through the slot above the lip 16e and partially fills the uppermost bag carried on the wicket. When the bag is partially opened, the upper edge pops open suticiently to bring it in proximity to the vacuum openings 24 in the vacuum loop whereby the upper portions of the open bag are engaged. The bag 19 pops against the openings 24 and is pulled fully open. Air flow continues from the air stream means and through the slot into the bag 19, but the air stream is not relied on to hold the bag open. Also, Ivacuum flow in the vacuum loop continues at a limited rate because the openings 24 are partially obstructed.

Apparatus not shown and not pertinent to the present invention is then used to place the bread 14 or the other goods in the bag 19 by moving the goods horizontally into the bag. Once the goods are placed in the bag, the bag is secured to the present invention only by the lower lip extending from the bottom panel of the bag and the engagement of the vacuum loop 22 with portions of the bag. Additional means not pertinent to the present invention but described by way of lbackground are then used to remove the bag 19 and the goods therein by whatever means are found acceptable whereby the vacuum engagement of the bag with the vacuum loop is terminated by movement of the bag 19. Also, the lower lip is torn free of the wicket 36. The movement of the bagged goods from the position of FIG. 1 then clears the plurality of bags 18 of its weight and also exposes the mouth of the next bag in the stack for admission of air, it being noted that the bar member 38 which is placed on the carrier plate 37 provides a hump in the stack of bags enabling the uppermost bag to be inflated by the air stream means Operation in the same manner is then repeated for the next bag on the stack wherein the air stream is directed centrally of the apparatus when viewed from above and toward the bag opening which is preferably centered on the carrier plate 37. The air stream means 16 are preferably centered of the stack 18 of bags as shown in FIG. 2. The air stream is directed into the bag and the bag is partially inated and engaged by the vacuum loop. As fast as the filled bags are removed, the present invention 10 functions in the intervals of time between filling operations to have a bag ever-ready for insertion of goods. The opening of each bag presents no problem since the sloping edges adjacent the opening means 50 shown in FIG. 3 freely receive the bag during its movement without snagging on obstacles, sharp corners, or the like. It was previously noted that the lower portion or panel of the bag has a lip penetrated by the wicket 36 which secures the bag against movement to the left or right of the bag carrier plate 37.

Each time a bag is removed and the lip attached thereto is pulled or torn from the wicket, the spring 41 pushes the carrier 37 and the stack upwardly maintaining the stack 18 clamped beneath the lip 16e and positioned for inating the next bag on the stack.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the electrical wiring has been omitted for purposes of clarity although it will be appreciated that conventional house current should be provided to the apparatus and an appropriate switch mounted on the device or a master switch located elsewhere turns the centrifugal fan motors on. Two fans and fan motors are shown in the preferred apparatus, although it will be appreciated that it is possible to use only one motor which draws vacuum flow from the vacuum loop 22 and ejects a stream of air through the slot means if preferred.

The lower portions of the present invention 10 are preferably closed by sheet members, although it will be appreciated that louvers can be provided in the side walls 46 and 47 adjacent arial openings of the air moving means 16. Likewise, louvers can be placed in the back wall 44 for venting the stream of air from the opening 26b of the vacuum forming means 26 whereby the air is exhausted away from the vacuum loop.

Other changes in the present invention are within the purview of one skilled in the art. While the foregoing describes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope is defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for opening one of a plurality of collapsed bags, sacks or other containers filled by means which dispenses goods, comprising:

(a) means for storing a plurality of collapsed bags;

(b) means for directing a stream of air toward the plurality of collapsed bags in such a manner that one of the bags has a tendency to at least partially open at the mouth;

(c) vacuum conduit means encircling the position of the partially opened bag and having opening means facing the partially open bag for engaging the partially open bag by vacum suction and opening the bag fully at the mouth; and

(d) said vacuum conduit means being adapted to release the engaged bag.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said storing means includes a wicket extending over the plurality of collapsed bags, and means are placed under the plurality of collapsed bags for directing the open end of the uppermost bag toward the stream of air from said air directing means.

3. The invention of claim 1 in which said vacuum conduit means includes:

(a) removable insert means for defining an opening of said vacuum conduit means suitable for receiving the dispensed goods therethrough; and

(b) said insert means determining a range of openings approximately corresponding to the shape of the open bags to thereby engage the upper surface of the open bag and a portion of the side surfaces thereof.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said removable insert means are selected from a plurality of removable insert means for altering the size or shape of the opening of said encircling vacuum conduit means.

5. The invention of claim 1 in which said Vacuum conduit means includes:

(a) a plurality of vacuum imparting opening means in said conduit means for engaging and grasping the material of the open bag;

(b) air moving means communicated with said conduit means for drawing air therethrough to form a vacuum flow; and

(c) exhaust means connected to said air moving means for exhausting air from said conduit means.

6. The invention of claim 1 in which said vacuum conduit means includes an encircling means extending above and fully around the stacked plurality of bags, and includes hinged means for moving said vacuum conduit means away from and toward the position herein described.

7. The invention of claim 1, including:

(a) motor driven fan means for directing the stream of air toward the open bag; and

(b) motor driven fan means for forming vacuum ilow in said vacuum conduit means for releasably engaging the open bag.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said storing means includes a spring-loaded carrier for receiving a wicket of stacked and collapsed bags.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein said storing means includes means below the plurality of stacked bags for slightly raising the openable end of the uppermost bag for receiving the stream of air from said air directing means.

10. The invention of claim 1 including slot means for directing the air stream from said air stream means over the end of the plurality of bags which have their ends References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1960 Perrin 53-188 X 3/1965 Saumsiegle et al 53-189 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner E. F. DESMOND, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 

